|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
Health System
|
|
|
|
|
DATE:
|
August 26, 2010
|
BOARD MEETING DATE:
|
September 28, 2010
|
SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
|
None
|
VOTE REQUIRED:
|
Majority
|
|
|
TO:
|
Honorable Board of Supervisors
|
FROM:
|
Jean S. Fraser, Chief, Health System
Susan Ehrlich, MD, MPP, Chief Executive Officer
San Mateo Medical Center
|
SUBJECT:
|
Agreement with California Emergency Physicians Medical Group
|
|
|
RECOMMENDATION:
|
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the:
|
A.
|
President of the Board to execute an Agreement with California Emergency Physicians Medical Group to provide urgent care services for the term September 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011, for a maximum obligation of $180,000; and
|
|
|
|
B.
|
Chief of the Health System or designee to execute contract amendments which modify the County’s maximum fiscal obligation by no more than $25,000 (in aggregate), and/or modify the contract term and/or services so long as the modified term or services is/are within the current or revised fiscal provisions.
|
|
|
BACKGROUND:
|
Urgent care services are provided under the general direction of the Chief Medical Officer of San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC). Such care includes treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses, such as flu and colds, strep throat, ear ache, stomach pains, asthma, eye infection, joint pain, minor cuts, burns, fractures, sprains, and strains.
|
|
|
DISCUSSION:
|
California Emergency Physicians Medical Group (CEP) has provided professional emergency medicine services at SMMC for several years. Due to the continuing increase in demand for Emergency Department (ED) services at SMMC, there is a continued need for an Urgent Care Center to treat patients with non-emergency, but urgent, needs.
|
|
|
The Urgent Care Center at SMMC is a pilot program which has been in existence for one year. The purpose of this function is to support the need to divert patients from the overcrowded ED. This program has been successful and twenty-four (24) patients per day, on average, have been diverted from the SMMC ED.
|
|
|
This six month period of this Agreement will be used to transition the urgent care services into the primary care clinics in order to treat these patients in a more cost effective manner.
|
|
|
The Health System Redesign Initiative Team has reviewed and approved this Agreement. The Contractor’s insurance has been reviewed and approved by Risk Management. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution and Agreement as to form.
|
|
|
The Contractor has assured compliance with the County’s Contractor Employee Jury Service Ordinance, as well as all other contract provisions that are required by County ordinance and administrative memoranda, including but not limited to insurance, hold harmless, non-discrimination, and equal benefits.
|
|
|
Approval of this Agreement contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by providing patients with access to non-emergency urgent care. In addition, this allows the ED to treat medical emergencies and intervene in life threatening situations. It is anticipated that a patient satisfaction rating of more than 3.5 on a 4 point scale will be attained which is an indicator of quality patient care and meets Joint Commission of American Hospital guidelines for accreditation.
|
|
|
Performance Measure:
|
Measure
|
FY 2009-10
Actual
|
FY 2010-11
Projected
|
Patient satisfaction on the Emergency Department four point scale
|
>3.5
|
>3.5
|
|
|
FISCAL IMPACT:
|
The term of the Agreement is September 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011. The maximum amount of the Agreement is $180,000. Funds in the amount of $180,000 are included in the SMMC tentatively Adopted FY 2010-11 Budget.
|
|
|
Expenses at SMMC are covered by fees for services or third-party payors whenever possible. The portion of expenses for services provided to the medically indigent or to those covered by programs that do not meet the full costs of care are covered by the County’s General Fund contribution to SMMC.
|